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[meridian]

I am currently planning the build of an HDML and have the hull package on order from Powered Boat Mouldings and the Running Gear from HSL Mouldings. I have also ordered a set of HDML plans from John Lambert. Having carried out some preliminary research I have come across reference to Kent Clear -View screens which were fitted to the HDMLs. I know these are the circular sections of the windscreens but at the moment know little else. Can anyone provide more details or point me in the right direction? Many thanks, meridian.

[kendalboatsman]

Hi,

I tried to Google up a an answer and the best I found was a photo of a clear view screen fitted to a train on Southend Pier. Scroll down the web page on the link for a colour photo.

http://www.greywall.demon.co.uk/rail/spr.html

Weren't they a circular disc that was kept spinning to throw water off and give a clear view in driving seas?

Clive

[cdsc123]

A photo of Kent clearview screens on an HDML;

[John W E]

hi there

here is another view inside of the harbour defence launch of the Kent clear screen.   Basically, the operation of the screen is - circular piece of glass, which rotates in a seal, driven by an offset electric motor - as the screen spins, central fugal force clears the water from the rotating screen.

Hope this is of some help JOHN e, bluebird
aye

[kendalboatsman]

Good interior photo there John,

Will use that myself to complete my little HDML I am building.

Clive :)

[DickyD]

Interior of German Scheutze minesweeper.

[meridian]

Thank you for your prompt responses, I now have an insight into the Kent Clear-View Screen. By the way, The photographs are very good and show some very useful detail, just what I'm going to need as references as the build of my HDML progresses. May I ask where they came from?

[DickyD]

Mine came from :

http://translate.google.com/translate?hl=en&sl=de&u=http://www.schuetzeklasse.de/&sa=X&oi=translate&resnum=2&ct=result&prev=/search%3Fq%3DSchuetze%2BKlasse%26hl%3Den%26sa%3DG

[John W E]

... and mine it came from:

an old book

'Motor Boat and Yachting' from about 1949-1950  - but sorry there are no more internal images.

John

[meridian]

Thank you.

[cdsc123]

The exterior view of the wheelhouse was from
http://www.bbc.co.uk/ww2peopleswar/stories/02/a2372302.shtml
but the pic has been removed now.

[Bryan Young]

Not too sure about the German one as that appears to be a more direct drive unit. The "Kent" type as fitted to a multitude of British ships was belt driven from above the unit. The housing was very "sturdy" and prominent...particularly on the inside, as that was where the belt drive was. These units were very effective at clearing screens but really limited the view as only one person could observe at any one time. Put the Captain behind one of these things and the lookouts would be banished to the bridge wings,rendering them useless,fed-up and cold (and wet). The advent of "wipers" must originally come from motor-cars, but aircraft began to use them and eventually ships. Unfortunately all the earlier ones had the "gubbins" fitted on the outside. No matter how well they were sealed the "hoggin" found its way in and caused loads of grief to the "Leckies". Thank goodness that common sense (never in abundance) has prevailed, and that the new generation of units are fitted internally.

[malcolmfrary]

I recall from my two wheel days that about 1963 a company produced a visor working on this principle that had small vanes around the edge to catch the breeze and cause the disc to spin.
Can't think why it didn't catch on.

[HS93 (RIP)]

It was on BBCs tomorrows world at the time .  Peter

[bigH]

   Yeah Malcom you are quite right about the visor clear screen.   I had one from my local supplier  it cost £1-15s -3d  it sat at about nose level in the middle of the visor    and was 5ins in diameter, the only problem was that the damm thing wouldn't fit the new full face helmets which were just starting to make an appearance
   bigH